A Guest Perspective on Thriving for a Lifetime
The New Era of Healthy Lives with a Purpose: A Personal Journey and a Global Movement
Years ago, I remember watching a TV documentary that featured a female university professor from Innsbruck in her late sixties. She spoke about her fulfilling life - combining work, enjoying skiing, and drinking local clean water - with an energy and positivity that radiated through the screen. Seeing her, my partner and I looked at each other and said, “We want to be as active, healthy, and purposeful as she is.” Although I don’t recall the documentary’s title or the professor’s name, she became a tangible role model for how I want to live my life in my sixties and beyond.
When I was eleven years old, my father died in an accident - one I could so easily have been part of. Losing him so suddenly left me with a profound fear of death, but it also lit a fire inside me: a determination to live as fully and healthily as possible. That personal experience pushed me to explore healthy living, what we now call biohacking, and various pathways to longevity.
Thanks to our growing understanding of DNA and biochemistry, along with rapid technological and AI advancements, living longer and healthier isn’t just a futuristic fantasy anymore - it’s within reach. On both individual and societal levels, however, it requires strategy and, above all, execution - starting with small, consistent changes like regular exercise, balanced nutrition, quality sleep, and nurturing our mental well-being. There is no single pill or injection (yet) that can deliver the same results.
Why Healthy Longevity Matters More Than Ever
For decades, policymakers, scientists, and entrepreneurs have anticipated a time when people would routinely live well into their 80s, 90s, and beyond. According to the United Nations’ World Population Prospects 2024, by 2050, one in six people worldwide will be aged 65 or older, underscoring how rapidly our global demographic is shifting. Meanwhile, the Global Burden of Disease project highlights that chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes are expected to account for over three-quarters of global deaths by 2030 - a striking figure that directly relates to how we age and the quality of those extra years.
Yet longevity alone doesn’t capture the full picture. What we truly want - and what I’m personally passionate about - is extending our healthspan: those years in which we remain active, free from disability, and able to lead meaningful lives. The reason is straightforward: staying healthier for longer means greater independence, minimized healthcare expenses, and more energy to keep contributing to society. As I see it, we have one life - one chance to be useful and make an impact. By taking care of ourselves, we can continue taking care of each other.
Beyond Governments: The Role of Companies
Governments worldwide are adapting to ageing populations through pension reforms, improved healthcare infrastructure, and the promotion of active ageing. Japan invests significantly in community-based eldercare, and Singapore has developed an Action Plan for Successful Ageing, focusing on lifelong learning and technology integration. An article titled “The longevity secrets of Singapore …” didn’t surprise me. When I followed Harriet to Singapore in 2018, I noticed how many local Singaporeans of all ages exercised outdoors - running or participating in various group workouts funded and supported as part of the country’s health initiatives.
Still, citizens’ health isn’t just a matter of public policy; companies play a massive role, too. Some businesses have already realized that a healthier, longer-living population can be a boon for innovation and growth - provided the right frameworks are in place. Healthy employees are more productive, tend to stay in the workforce longer, and can mentor younger colleagues, making transgenerational teams a powerful force for transformation. This is one reason organizations should consider workplace well-being programs and age-inclusive policies. Forward-thinking businesses also design products and services that cater to older adults, whether through new medical technologies, safer mobility options, or flexible part-time work arrangements.
However, many leaders still underestimate the impact of demographic shifts on their bottom line. As birth rates drop in countries like Japan, Italy, and Spain, businesses that prepare early for an older consumer base and workforce can gain a competitive edge. This focus on longevity and well-being is also a key pillar of my innovation consulting, where I encourage clients to see both as essential for any future-proof strategy.
The Science, the Hype, and the Skepticism
Scientific breakthroughs in geroscience - such as NAD+ boosters and resveratrol - have captured headlines partly because of researchers like Dr. David Sinclair at Harvard. While his studies and public activities have helped bring ageing research into the mainstream, critics argue that some of Sinclair’s claims about age reversal may be overstated or not sufficiently backed by peer-reviewed evidence. Although some new therapies show promise in animal models, they still require validation in large-scale human studies. This ongoing debate underscores the importance of rigorous science and balanced scrutiny when evaluating novel interventions for healthy ageing.
We also see excitement around “Blue Zones” - regions where people allegedly live healthier and longer. Dan Buettner’s research highlights plant-based diets, active lifestyles, and strong social networks in places like Sardinia (Italy) and Okinawa (Japan). However, journalists and academics have questioned the accuracy of local recordkeeping and the role genetic factors may play in skewing longevity data (see Vox’s 2019 critique). It’s a valuable reminder that even widely touted examples can have nuances. Still, many of the lifestyle recommendations based on the Blue Zones - moving naturally, finding purpose, and eating mostly plants - align with contemporary, science-backed views on healthy living.
Personal Responsibility Meets Global Policy
While global and corporate initiatives set the stage, a major part of living longer and better ultimately lies - and should always lie - in our own hands. Diet, exercise, stress management, nasal breathing, and adequate sleep are indispensable, no matter what sophisticated gene therapy or supplement may appear on the horizon. Even in places with top-tier healthcare systems, individuals must take ownership of their daily habits. After all, life extension progress won’t mean much if we spend those extra years in poor health.
At the same time, public debates about pension reforms and retirement ages often overshadow more profound questions: how to maintain dignity and purpose in later life, prevent social isolation, keep older adults engaged and valued in society. Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) advocate for a Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), calling on governments, civil society, businesses, and communities to work together on holistic solutions. Similarly, the World Economic Forum’s Longevity Economy Principles emphasize that healthy aging benefits everyone, from employees to employers, and from local communities to entire national economies.
A Shared Path Forward
Ultimately, the goal isn’t merely to add extra years to our lives, but to ensure those years are filled with mobility, mental acuity, purpose, and joy. With shifting demographics, we have every incentive to develop innovations that keep people healthier and more engaged. Governments and private companies investing in such solutions - whether advanced healthcare systems, healthier workplace guidelines, or better-designed cities - can expect economic and social rewards.
Yet, we shouldn’t overlook the personal aspect. My father’s death taught me that life is fragile and every day is a gift. Maintaining my health means preserving my independence, giving me more time to push boundaries and contribute, and letting me see the results of my work together with people I love. By championing healthy longevity, I hope to create a future where more of us get that same opportunity—and where those extra years are spent genuinely living, not merely existing.
About Mirek
Mirek (Miroslav) Hazer is an innovator and strategist who first worked under Harriet Green’s leadership at IBM’s IoT Center in Munich, Germany, and later at IBM’s Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore. A native of the Czech Republic, his name—Miroslav—translates to “loving peace,” mirroring his cooperative style and drive for personal growth. Together with his partner, he now pioneers well-being experiences at ELSA, an apartment hotel in Tux, Austria, while also running his own consulting firm, At Intersections. There, he explores the synergy of creativity, transformation, well-being, and purpose, offering unique, immersive engagements at At Intersections LAB within ELSA. A lifelong learner, Mirek has pursued programs at the University of Oxford, London Business School, and United Nations University, among others. His journey showcases a passion for continuous improvement and meaningful impact—in organizations and in people’s lives.
Sources and Further Reading
United Nations. (2024). World Population Prospects 2024. https://population.un.org/wpp/
United Nations Reports
Peter Attia. (2023). Outlive. (Author Site)
Andrew J. Scott. (2024). The Longevity Imperative. (Author Site)
Buck Institute for Research on Ageing